BORNEO

This eight-day Borneo package affords the opportunity to get close to orang-utans. It includes seven nights' accommodation, 15 meals, three river cruises, airport transfers and lots of great sightseeing and animal encounters.

$1225 a person twin share. Valid for travel until March 31.  Phone 1800 020 020. See travelbay.com.

SWITZERLAND

Save $739 on the Travel Associates' 10-day Majestic Switzerland tour. See Zurich, Lichtenstein and the Swiss Alps. Included: nine nights in luxury hotels, many meals, transfers and more.  From $7395 a person twin share.  Sale till December 17 for travel July 2-August 13. Phone 1800 044 066. See travel-associates.com.au.

ISLAND

KOH SAMUI

Chaweng Regent Beach Resort in Thailand's Koh Samui is a beachfront property in Samui's most popular resort town, Chaweng, on the north-east coast. STA Travel is offering seven nights in a deluxe twin or deluxe double room for $1321 a room twin share, a saving of $765. Sale till November 30, for travel until December 20.  Phone 134 782. See statravel.com.au.

BALI

Stay three nights for the price of two at Alila Seminyak and in addition, get breakfast daily, a $70 resort credit and return transfers.

From $609 a person, twin share. Sale till February 29 for travel April 1-July 15, 2016. Phone 1800 044 066. See travel-associates.com.au.

FAMILY

JAPAN

SkiJapan.com's Yume Basho is a three-bedroom chalet in Hirafu Village, adjacent to the Hokkaido resorts. Six can share the four-star property for seven nights from $1030 a person for travel after March 12, a 20 per cent saving.

The offer also includes per person a six-day Niseko all mountain lift pass. Phone 1300 137 411. See SkiJapan.com.

FIJI

Get seven nights for the price of four at the popular Warwick Fiji.  This deal includes accommodation in a Garden View room, return airport transfers, buffet breakfast daily plus free meals program, kids club and accommodation for two children under 12.

From $855 a person twin share. Sale until November 29 and for travel January 4-March 31. Phone 1300 883 887. See travelonline.com.

CRUISE

CHILE

Save $1000 a person on a 23-day cruise from Chile to Sydney via New Zealand and other ports onboard P&O's Arcadia.  It includes a call at Easter Island to see the Moai statues. There's a night at the Novotel Santiago with breakfast. It includes flights. From $4999 a person twin share.

Departs Melbourne or Sydney on February 7. Sale till November 30. Phone 1300 813391.  See ditravel.com.au.

ASIA

Sail from Sydney to Tokyo across 33 nights on Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess. Departing Sydney on March 23, the cruise heads to Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle before Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan and includes flights and three nights at The Shangri-La Tokyo plus up to $600 onboard credit.

From $5839 a person twin share. Sale until March 21. Phone 1300 369 848. See ecruising.travel.

HOTEL

DUBAI

Atlantis, The Palm is offering savings of up to 50 per cent on a range of rooms and suites. The offer includes daily buffet breakfast. The property is also home to the 17-hectare Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. The special also includes free access to both of these.

Sale till April 30 for travel April 1 till August 31. See atlantisthepalm.com.

SINGAPORE

Stay at the Park Regis Singapore with a package that includes complimentary upgrade to a Quay Room, a sunset cruise, buffet breakfast, and 23 per cent off the a la carte menu at the newly refurbished onsite restaurant,  Twenty3 Drink & Dine.

$285 a room twin share for a minimum two-night stay. Valid for travel till December 30. Strict conditions apply. See parkregissingapore.com. Use promo code: SUNRISE.

THE BIG ISSUE

SMOOTH OPERATORS

It's that time of year when families are contemplating hitting the road as a unit. Family travel expert Leah Squires says there are some key points to cover off for successful family travel. The director of travel agency BYO Kids firstly recommends involving children in the planning stages, encouraging them to research and learn about the places they will be visiting so they understand and embrace any cultural differences ahead.

A common mistake she sees parents making is allocating all their holiday funds to accommodation and airfares. "Don't forget if you are travelling as a family costs like food, drink, activities and attractions can total thousands over a week," she says, recommending 30-40 per cent of the budget should be held for on-the-road costs.  "That way you'll be able to enjoy the destination without stressing about money," she adds.

Another common oversight is legal requirements.  "Passports are the most common one with people not realising that in most countries you must have at least six months validity from your return holiday date," she says, adding it's surprising how many people fail to check on visa requirements. "Using a travel agent who know the ins and out will cost you no more and you can sleep at night knowing your dream holiday will be exactly that."

Once on the road, she recommends building downtime in for kids. "Find a local playground where they can explore at their pace or a nice garden to lay on the lawns or have a relaxing walk in between all the sightseeing and activities."

And finally, "Ensure you have a destination and accommodation that appeals to everyone in the family.  Some families make the mistake of choosing a resort or hotel that might be perfect for the parents but boring and not suitable for the kids or visa versa.  Speak to a family travel specialist about what activities are on offer at the resort for every member of the family especially if you have a wide range of ages in your children."

See byokids.com.au.

EXPERT OPINION

Kent Davidson, executive director – sales, marketing and distribution, Mantra Group.

Q. How can travellers nab the best rates at central hotels?

A. Book early when you can. Prices go up as demand grows; you want to book early in that curve. Be flexible. If it's not for a specific occasion, for example, if you are travelling to go shopping, visiting friends etc, pick a weekend that the Dalai Lama isn't in town. Also book direct with the hotel website. Sign up for discount offers, customer recognition programs etc; connect directly with the hotel or hotel group and tell them you want their best deal.

If you still can't get the central location you're after at the price you want, instead of paying through the nose to be in the Sydney CBD, for example, book in to Chatswood, experience a train across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take in the view and save a bundle. Similarly, in Melbourne book a hotel in St Kilda and take the tram.

GEBICKI TIP

Most restaurants charge more for dinner than they do for lunch, even when it's the same dish. Eat your main meal at lunchtime and have a snack for dinner and you'll save.